Category: Travel Trends

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Mobile data connectivity in Spiti

Staying connected with our loved ones has become a sort of necessity of the modern era. Gone are the days when people had the patience to wait for letters. Now we start worrying when our loved one won’t pick the phone for five minutes. This need becomes even more imperative when someone is traveling. Here we bring you a list of tips that you can increase your mobile phone connectivity when traveling with a special focus on Spiti Valley.

1. Research about connectivity in advance

Find out all you can about mobile connectivity issues of the region you are traveling in to stay informed and not be taken by surprise.

2. Pre-paid and postpaid connections

The first thing to be considered while traveling is considering whether your prepaid or postpaid connection will work in a given region. When traveling internationally, for example, you may want to consider getting a local number. These connections work well in Spiti Valley though not so much in Ladhakh. Most of the connectivity issues are with routes to the valley and there are some weak network zones and others where there is no network for several kilometers.

2. Selection of the telecom service provider

You might want to have a temporary connection with a service provider that works best locally. As far as Ladhakh and Spiti region go, BSNL is safest and Airtel is your second best bet. Even these connections fail in some routes in the region but the others are worse

3. Inform your friends and family

Inform them when you are about to enter a region with connection problems to save them from needless worries. Don’t tell them when they can next be sure to find you. Rather tell them that you will call them or send them a text whenever you find connection and keep doing it.

4. Satellite phones

In case of an emergency, you can use a satellite phone installed at Chandra dhaba on Manali-Kunzum Pass -Kaza route. The charges are 2 rupees per minute for STD/ISD calls. However, remember it is an emergency phone.

5. Data connectivity

The data connectivity is mostly limited in the Spiti valley.  The data speeds are low in the region. When traveling to such a region, Whatsapp is the most reliable chatting app. It manages to send text messages on very low speed even if it won’t send voice or image or video texts. And that is more than you can say about a lot of chatting apps.

6. Seasonal fluctuations

Connectivity suffers in and around Spiti Valley during winters when it is at its worst. Connectivity might also suffer due to weather changes and might be simply gone for several days for no good apparent reason.

7. Daily Variations

Networks work better during the days especially in mornings compared to nights and thus you will need to plan accordingly in and around Spiti valley. This is particularly true in case of BSNL and you should, thus, plan accordingly. Remember early and early to rise makes a good strategy in Ladhakh

8. Of course, Patience

The biggest problem is often the lack of patience in travelers. They are just too used to high internet speeds of big cities. It might take you several efforts to put through a call or send a single text back home. It is thus a test of patience more than anything else.

Conclusion

This is all on mobile connectivity in Spiti Valley. We hope you find this blog helpful. If there are tips that you think can help to let tourists stay connected, please write to us in the comments below.

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Travel Tips Travel Trends

FAQs relating to Ladakh/Spiti Trip

Are you considering a trip to Ladhakh/Spiti? It is your normal tour, this adventure might involve some health risks and thus you might need some precautions. However, do not let that alarm you. We are here to answer all your questions.

Who can go on a  Ladakh/Spiti Trip?

The high altitude means you run the risk of suffering from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) no matter how healthy and strong you are. That is a risk you will have to consider  – especially People with blood pressure and heart problems, old people, asthma patients or people with delicate health should probably consult a doctor before taking on this adventure. We won’t advice going with children under the age of 5 and even with children over the age of 5, we recommend traveling only after ensuring you have taken all the desired precautions.

Most important precaution against AMS is to increase the altitude slowly so that your body has time to adapt to conditions.

Carrying an oxygen cylinder and AMS preventive medicine is another important precaution. If one of your co-traveler is suffering from AMS, you should all descend. Make them use medicine and/or oxygen cylinder.

Other precautions to take include:

Keep yourself well hydrated. Under hydration is terrible but people often err on the other side. You must avoid overhydration too.

You must avoid sleeping at high altitudes and especially during the day. When you must sleep, try doing it in an upright position.

You must avoid overexertion at high altitudes

Avoid tobacco, smoking, alcohol, drugs etc. Instead, eat carbohydrate-rich food.

Keep yourselves warm

What are things I should carry on my Leh Ladakh trip?

Besides the usual clothes, ids, toiletries and hygiene products (including things you would normally expect to find in a hotel or locally like soaps and sanitary napkins) and luggage you might need things like basic first aid, Extra spectacles with cover,  small scissors, torchlight or flashlight, multi-plug, plastic ziplock bags, sun cream, safety pins, swiss knife, water bottles, cigar lighter, matchboxes, moisturising cream, cologne talc, lip guard, small mirror etc. Carrying sufficient cash, AMS preventive medicine, and oxygen cylinder is highly recommended.

Laptops that do not have Solid State Drives should not be carried for there is the risk of them crashing or losing data. If you must carry them, you should keep them shutdown especially when you are at an altitude of 10000 meters and in cold conditions. Even in other condition, Keep them outside in the environment for a while before switching them on.

Why should I carry cash? Cant I use ATMs?

We do not recommend depending upon the few local ATMs for your cash requirements. There is a very good chance they might be all down. You should thus try to rearrange the money you will need. In order to avoid carrying too much money, you can go for advance booking options.

What are clothes I should carry on my Leh Ladakh trip?

There are a lot of weather and climatic diversions. We recommend carrying warm clothes that you can wear in layers for sake of flexibility. woolen clothes including a heavy jacket and soaks, caps or hats, sunglasses, insulated and good hiking shoes.

Why should I carry oxygen cans or a cylinder?

mount of oxygen present in the atmosphere decreases with time which might cause AMS to some people.  Thus we recommend carrying medium to large-sized oxygen cylinders. They can buy a person suffering from AMS. Small cylinders might not get you enough time. Also, carry AMS preventive medicine. Hopefully, you won’t need them but it is always better to be prepared

We hope this helps. Have an adventurous and worry-free journey.

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Travel Tips Travel Trends

20 Myths about women solo travel

Everyone wants to travel but recently, the trend of women traveling solo is increasing and if you are women wishing to embark on a trip alone, there will be many people offering you advice and giving you words of warning about solo travel. Here we are compiling a list of Myths that people assume about women solo travel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. It’s not safe and if you walk around alone, you’ll get mugged or killed. For people who have never stepped out of their comfort zone, a new country or a new place is a scary prospect and yes, there are many dangers but that shouldn’t stop you from traveling. It should just make you cautious. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, just enter a store or a place surrounded by other people. There are some places where you have to be more careful than others.
  2. Traveling alone is lonely. That is another myth. More often than not, you will find other solo travelers like yourself and even if you don’t, you WILL meet new people. Moreover, you will not get time to be lonely. Travelling can get hectic.
  3. Solo travelers are courageous: You don’t need to be the bravest person to go on a trip alone. You just need to plan ahead and be cautious. The confidence and courage come itself once you start traveling. Yes, it takes bravery to take that first step and decide that you want to travel alone, but after that, things will fall into place.
  4. If you drink water there, you’ll get sick and since you’re alone, no one will take care of you. SOMETIMES, the water of a place doesn’t suit you, in which case, you can always buy mineral water. But mostly, you can drink tap water and it is fine.
  5. Talking to strangers: You have always been warned to not talk to strangers or you’ll get kidnapped or something awful will happen to you. With solo traveling, it is impossible to not talk to strangers. If you are traveling to a new place, every person there is a stranger and I’ve often talked to strangers who have been nothing but kind and nice. Yes, if you feel uncomfortable talking to someone or just get a wrong vibe, it is important to walk away, otherwise, not everyone is out to kill you.
  6. Solo trips need to be long and into the unknown. If you are a woman traveling solo, it doesn’t mean you have to take a long trip to some unknown place. You can travel to some place you are comfortable with and build up your confidence.
  7. There’s no love between the person and her family and friends and that’s why they couldn’t convince someone to come with them. NO. That’s not true. Maybe they prefer to travel alone or maybe the others were busy. You can have a loving relationship with your friends and family and still want o travel alone.
  8. It can be boring. It’s a myth that solo traveling brings dull moments. On the contrary, you’ll be constantly doing something or absorbing your surroundings. There is so much to experience in a new place that there won’t be one boring moment.
  9. It takes more effort to plan. On the other hand, it is easier to plan a solo trip when you just have to make arrangements on your own and keep your own safety and comfort and likes in mind.
  10. Jeopardizing your career. It is a popular belief that if you leave your job behind or take time off from college to travel, you’re jeopardizing your career. In reality, traveling lend you an experience and there will be plenty of jobs waiting when you come back.
  11. You need to know a foreign language. Another popular myth is that if you are traveling solo, you should at least know a foreign language. While it helps to know a few common words, you don’t need to learn a whole new language just to travel to a place.
  12. It is hard to maintain relationships for a solo woman traveler. It is not true. As long as there are love and trust in a relationship it will work out. As you constantly update your partner about your location and experiences, it will make the bond grow stronger.
  13. All women solo travelers are single. Sometimes you want to travel but your partner does not. That should not stop you from trying something that you wish to experience. 
  14. Eating alone makes you look pathetic. While you are trying the local street food or treating yourself to a nice dinner in a restaurant, no one is going to care that you are eating alone.
  15. It’s limiting to travel solo. Actually, it is as limiting or as limitless as you let it be. You can explore more since you won’t be worrying about your companion’s comfort.
  16. You can’t be an introvert and travel alone. Traveling solo can fill you with more confidence and MAKE you outgoing. Even introverts become more open once they start traveling.
  17. You will get unwanted attention. That will happen whether you are traveling or in your home country. Some people chose to wear wedding rings to avoid unwanted attention. Also, you can always walk out of an unwanted situation.
  18. You have to do everything yourself and it is hard. That is a benefit of traveling alone. You don’t have to plan ahead if you don’t want to. You don’t have to be considerate to your traveling buddy. You decide what you want to do or where you want to go and that is it. You can abandon your plan to go to tourist places and just sit back at an amazing location and enjoy the weather.
  19. Traveling alone is a huge life-changing decision. It is just fun. You go on a trip alone, you see things, you enjoy and then you come back. And if you lied doing it once, you might do it again. There is nothing major about it.
  20. I can’t do it. You can. Everyone thinks that it is a big deal when they first make the choice but afterward, you could not have made a better decision. Every person has the capacity to become a solo traveler.
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Adventure Travel Tips Travel Trends

Day in the life of a Travel Blogger

Travel Blogging is made out to be such a glamorous job and we constantly get emails asking us what it is like and how can people set up their own travel blog. What people don’t understand is the work that goes behind keeping up a travel blog. It may not be a regular 9 to 5 job but it still requires a lot of hard work and working all the time whether it is weekend or holidays. So this post is to let you guys take a peek behind the curtain and let you see what each day is like in the life of a travel blogger.

Our day begins at 7-7:30

Though we aren’t much of morning people unless there’s an agenda like catching a beautiful sunset or an early flight. But the day does star with a short walk and a cup of tea or coffee afterwards. This is also the time when we check our schedule for the day or sometimes the coming week. It includes the daily social media content we must put up among other things like the places to visit that day, some basic details about the travel plans.

We plan the trip and have all the details regarding it saved. It becomes necessary to glance it over early in the morning to get a fair idea of how the day would pan out for us.

Social Media Plan

Being a Travel blogger requires one to have an impactful and consistent social media presence and while we do take pictures on the go and do live tweeting, it is still essential to plan out certain things in advance. Some posts are scheduled in case there is weak wifi connectivity where we are travelling. Whether it is India or travelling abroad, sometimes it gets hard to find internet connectivity except for in the hotel, so we keep a social media plan in hand.

This includes posts and pictures about our previous trips, some basic guides about the place we are travelling to and when there is internet available, live updates as well as personal experience write-ups. Though we prefer to write these things at night, we type out certain memorable instances on the go along with pictures so it jogs our memory when we actually start to write.

Our social media plan is also planned beforehand in the same way as our travels. And the bulletin is scheduled keeping in mind the destinations of our travel. It is really helpful but we also keep updating it according to circumstance, keeping it flexible.

Working on the go

That’s one of the things about being a travel blogger. You have to learn how to work on the go. This doesn’t require much of internet connection unless we need to research something. Otherwise, basic document software works fine for preparing the posts. Though we do live in the moment and enjoy the travels, the thought of how to present a particular place is always in the back of our mind. Preparing a blog post is not as easy as it sounds and more often than not requires research to be done, thorough knowledge and a unique style is needed to make the blog stand out from all others.

Real Time Travel:

No matter what it looks like, work isn’t ALL we do. That is why travel blogging is fun because you also get to travel to amazing places and know the stories related to that place. Being in the moment, doing things that fill you with adrenaline on one hand and peace, on the other hand, is worth it. We leave the real travelling and visiting places part for the afternoon because of perfect lighting and the day just keeps us refreshed. Meanwhile, as we work and travel, it is almost time for sunset. And that isn’t something we s travellers ever want to miss.

Meetings on the go:

Checking up on our family, friends as well as responding to emails, messages and blog comments, it is all done during the travel. We generally find a secluded coffee shop or any nice quiet space to deal with all that. This is also the perfect time to reach out to people. We generally find evenings more comfortable to have a cup of tea with locals and get chatty. It also is a great time to visit heritage places or beaches.

Night

Night time is perfect for two things depending on the place you have been travelling to. If it is a serene place, we like to go for a long walk beneath the starry sky and if it is more of a modern place with a good nightlife, then, clubbing and going out for drinks comes on the agenda. Night time can often be just as good to have a full experience of place and absorbing its beauty as daytime. We are kind of night owls so instead of spending the time recuperating in our hotel rooms, we prefer to roam around.

An Hour before sleep

Usually, by this time, we are already exhausted and ready to get cosy in bed. But before we fall asleep, we check if there is anything left on our checklists, something we forgot to do or any urgent proposal to consider. It is also the time to process and post any pictures we found intriguing. If we didn’t get time to write or work during the day because of some reason, we finish it up before sleeping which can be hard because of exhaustion but one has to fight it.

So that is all. That shows you how we live our lives while on the move, managing travelling and blogging at the same time. But when we aren’t travelling and are back home, we relax and spend time with our families and friends, try to indulge in other things like catching up on books or TV shows or do our favourite thing- plan for our next travel adventures.

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Travel Tips Travel Trends

How to Plan Your Travel Calendar

Being a travel blogger requires one to be organized and have a schedule ready for everything. Be it our social media content, blog posts, everything works according to a calendar. So amidst all these, there’ an even more important calendar that has to be managed right and that is the travel calendar which basically means when will we be travelling where.  And the planning goes on not just for the next month or week but the whole year, including all the places we want to go. Planning this travel calendar is in fact, the most important thing a travel blogger has to, before we set off on the road, living like nomads and experiencing the world and its beauty. In this post, we will share some tips on how to plan your travel calendar.

What’s your budget like?

Everyone knows that you can’t start travelling without money (except for the freebie trips, but you don’t want that to take up your entire schedule). So one has to look at the finances first and foremost. You might want to start checking off places from your wish list, but that is not always easy. Start with an overall travel budget that you have and then decide on domestic and international trips. We usually spend 50% of our total earnings on travelling because it is our passion and so the budgeting depends entirely upon your earnings and what part of it you wish to spend on travel. Travel blogging is a business so for us, investing this money into travel is the right thing to do.

Travel off-season and save huge bucks

Planning offseason travels has its own perks. Not only the flights and accommodation are cheaper, but you would get great service, less crowded places and would be able to enjoy the place in its entirety. It’s hard to take in the beauty of a place with too many tourists cramming up. One doesn’t even get a chance to click a good photograph. And almost all places have a peak season and an offseason. So travelling to places like Croatia or Sikkim during the off-season can be just as good as during peak season. So, start by making a list of the places that you can afford to travel to and then arrange them according to their offseasons on your calendar.

The Bucket list Travel

Everyone has a list of travel destinations that he/she wishes to visit. While planning for your travel calendar, include at least one of those bucket list places, whatever fits under your budget. Another option is if you get a FAM trip offer for a place already on your bucket list. That works out great. No matter how many destinations you cross off, of course, there’ll always be more added to it.

Travel to attend festivals and events

There are some festivals and experiences that one needs to see with their own eyes to enjoy it. And in India, especially, there are a lot of festivals going on in a lot of places. Figure out which festivals you are keen to attend and plan travels accordingly beforehand. Like we loved the Rang Mahotsav in Kutch, it is a sight to behold. There are many such international events as well that one can plan for. These festivals not only give you a unique experience but also help in generating great content for blogging.

Travel for business

As a travel blogger, networking is very important. So often, we choose to plan some of our travels to enhance that. If there are some travel events going on around the world, we will try to see if we can make it there. It is more like an investment than expenditure like that to learn more about travel blogging. It’s all about quality at that point. You have to decide whether that event will help you generate more business. So think carefully about investing in these trips and always keep an eye out if one is happening near you.

The FAM Trip travels

FAM trips are the ultimate dream of travel influencers. SO it is good to have as many sponsored trips as possible. FAM trips make it possible for you to constantly be on the road and be recognized for the work that you do. But still, one has to be picky about which trips to take and what kind of work you CAN do, because, in the basest sense, they are work trips. It’s better to be travelling because of an assignment or a campaign than a FAM trip. But if you already have some offers, remember to add them accordingly In your travel calendar. And also leave some gaps in your usual travelling routine to adjust some of FAM trips if one suddenly arises. Because who doesn’t like free trips?

Travel in your own city

Sometimes we are so hell-bent on going and exploring the world that we forget to look closer. Often when we are either running low on budget or just have no motivation for long distance travel but still want to explore, we travel in and around our own city and often come across spots and places we haven’t seen yet. These journeys are quite ideal and necessary as well.

Travel to escape

In the end, when you’re done planning all your travels, do keep a couple random days off as holidays for yourself. Just because we are travel bloggers, sometimes too much travel turns out to be mainly work-oriented so one needs some time off to just stop with the work and let loose. That’s the time to skip social media, leave the camera at home, no more thinking about posing, sharing and interacting with people. It’s a normal weekend getaway, or longer if need be to spend time in solace.

So, that’s it, folks. Plan your travel calendar wisely. Make good decisions, plan months ahead, pack light and travel the world.

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Travel Tips Travel Trends

Best practices for currency exchange

For travelers, there are many options available for carrying money internationally. It may be in the form of cash or debit and credit cards, traveler’s cheque, and prepaid cards. We are here to discuss how to minimize your spending by adopting better conversion practice. Even avid international travelers find currency exchange to be a pain. And even the best of us are sometimes unable to do the math right. When you see your hard-earned money getting deducted by transaction fees and bank charges, it is a problem.

  1. Say no to Airport conversion.

NEVER exchange currencies on Airport outlets unless it is an emergency and you desperately need money for visa fees or cab fare, in which case, convert only the amount you immediately need. These outlets charge the highest exchange rate and you lose a lot of money.

  1. How much cash do you need?

Get a vague idea of how much money you will need for the whole trip and carry only 30% of the amount in the currency of the country you are visiting with you. The rest of the amount can be withdrawn from ATMs, you can use credit or debit cards or load up your Forex travel card.

  1. Compare exchange rates

There are sites like extratravelmoney.com that let you compare exchange rates quoted by authorized money changers. This will give you a fair idea of what to expect so you won’t be cheated into a higher rate.

  1. Forex card over Debit card

Your debit card contains the currency of your home country and when you withdraw from an ATM overseas, it gives you money in the foreign currency after deducting currency conversion markup up to 5 percent as well as bank charges of 3.5 %. On the other hand, Forex travel cards contain money in the local currency so you won’t have to pay any additional charges.

  1. All you need to know about Forex Card

You can get a Forex card from your bank by paying a fixed price but make sure that your Forex dealer is authorized. Always keep a spare card with you and while some dealers won’t charge for a spare card, you should pay minimal fees if they require it. Just to be on the safe side.

  1. Avoid traveler’s cheques

These were the old Forex cards but have become outdated in today’s age. Most overseas banks charge 4-5% commission on en-cashing these cheques. Better to stick with the cash you brought with you and your Forex card.

  1. Better exchange rates:

It is better to plan ahead and convert your money a few days before your trip. Wait to see if the exchange rates are dropping or rising and buy at the right time to avoid any losses. And keep it simple. It is good to carry a little amount in US dollars since it is accepted in many countries and is a strong currency but doesn’t convert all your money into one currency. Keep in mind the place you are traveling and act accordingly.

  1. The credit card is your friend

For international shopping or any heavy spending, use your international credit card. They give you a better exchange rate and are reliable even in a foreign country. You don’t have to worry about carrying too much cash on the person. Plus many credit cards offer additional benefits that might come in handy.

And that is all. Hopefully, your currency exchange problems will be a little resolved after reading this. Some additional tips for you are: Don’t count your money in public, stay away from black markets and use currency converter apps to know the latest rate and the exact conversion.

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Travel Tips Travel Trends

Tips for Solo Travellers

Traveling solo is the most liberating and incredible experience that one can have. It feels you with so much self-confidence and you feel empowered. But the only con is that you have to tackle everything on your own. From finding the travel destination to making plans and solving any problem along the way, the only person you can truly depend on is you. This needs a lot of guts but one can always balance courage with smartness. That is why we the #ghoomophirosisters bring you tips that will help you in your solo travelling adventure. These tips include everything from budgeting tips, packing tips etc

Before you leave:

Start saving up: Instead of having the constant burden of knowing you’ll have to catch up financially after your trip, save up beforehand and create a budget. It is so much better to know that your trip is all paid up. And creating a budget is very important. Decide your travel destination and then plan accordingly. See what’s your biggest expense, transportation or accommodation. Book in advance and allot money to shopping, carrying along money, travel insurance, food and casual expenses. But also keep a limit for how much you want to spend on the trip totally and try not to go over budget. It is okay to carry your credit card and pay with it but don’t go overboard on the trip and then get crushed under debt.

Destination: Whether you are traveling to your dream destination or still searching for where you want to go, it is better to research the place and then make your plans accordingly. Search for solo-travel friendly accommodations like Bed & Breakfasts or small inns. If it is your first solo trip, do not go somewhere overcrowded or a very popular place. You might get overwhelmed and want to do a lot of things, most of which you’ll end up rushing through. Instead, choose a low key place that has many day excursions but also leaves you time to interact with the locals.

Packing: This is the most important part because you don’t want o pack a lot of things but forgetting important things can also be a hassle. Packing light can help you a lot since you wouldn’t have to wait in long queues at the airport and it leaves you more mobile. Do not carry things you never use thinking that you might need them sometime because you won’t. Just get the essentials: Travel paperwork, important documents, credit card and cash, the gadgets that you definitely require, personal items and toiletries, small first aid kit, clothes. Pack only pack-worthy things that are multipurpose and not only for one-time use. It is better to travel with a backpack instead of a suitcase but it all depends on how long you will be traveling for and where. And instead of packing bulky things, wear them while on the flight.

On reaching your destination:

Depend on people: Guidebooks may be handy but nothing beats real-time experience. Talk to locals and stay low-key. Observe how people are behaving and try to fit in. Don’t be too afraid to ask for help or talk to people. The first time travel can be a scary or confusing experience but as long as you smile and treat people politely, there will be many people willing to help you out. And solo travels are best for making friends. People make the best memories more than places do. Just because you are traveling alone does not mean you have to be lonely. Be curious and learn a few words in local languages. Visit coffee shops and explore off beaten paths. You might come across other travelers like yourself.

Check-in: It is essential that you leave an itinerary of our travels with your family back home and to connect with them from time to time. It will not only keep you less lonely but is also essential for your safety. Also if you are leaving the hotel, might as well let someone on the front counter know where you are heading and ask them about the place.

Go out of your comfort zone: If you are traveling solo, learn to say yes to small adventures and doing things that you wouldn’t normally do back home. Whether it is a cup of coffee or paragliding, trying a unique dish, hiking, you can opt for anything. The best part about traveling alone is that you can enjoy these instant moments and make on-spot plans without having to worry about your companions.

Transportation: Instead of using cabs or renting transportation, chose local transports and choose to travel between destinations. The basic reason for solo traveling is that you love to be on the road discovering places to learn the overview of the city and any passes or offers for tourists. If you are traveling alone at night, plan your transportation carefully. If you are going somewhere during the day, local transit is advisable but while returning during the night, it is better to get a taxi.

Have a backup plan: Whether it is your accommodation or transporting back, always have a backup plan in case things don’t work out like they were supposed to. Keep some cash handy for emergencies hidden in your shoes or clothes in case you get lost.

There’s only so much you can learn by reading stuff online. The only true way you will know about solo traveling is by experiencing it first hand. While it is okay to be careful and plan ahead, you should also go with your gut and have fun. Because that is what traveling is all about, broadening your horizons and enjoying life in its truest forms. And just because you are traveling to a place you haven’t been to before doesn’t mean you should exhaust yourself by trying to see it all and check things off your list. Being in an unfamiliar place can be unsettling so give yourself some time to relax. Since you are already there, you have taken the first brave step and it is just the beginning.

For latest solo trip planning, reach out to us at ghoomophirosisters@gmail.com

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Culture Inspiration North India Spiritual Hubs Travel Trends

Festivals of Uttar Pradesh one should not miss!!

Uttar Pradesh is one of the most well-liked spots in India popularly referred to as the ‘Heartland of India’. The state boasts of a rich cultural heritage where you can find and cherish all kinds of colorful festivals celebrated by all communities. Planning your tour to Uttar Pradesh? Then you should not miss the cultural and traditional festivals of UP. These festivals are the symbols of age-old traditions that those people are proud of and even though they have entered the 21st century, they celebrate these festivals with the same fervor.

Here, we list a few very famous festivals that the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is known for.

Ganga Dussehra- Ganga Dussehra is mostly celebrated in this particular state. The festival approaches in the excruciating summers in the month of June every year. Dedicated to the holy river Ganga, which acts as the lifeline of the people in here, the festival is highly awaited and the people participate in the celebrations with an insane level of excitement which is a great sight to savor. The festival lasts for 10 days.

Buddha Purnima- The festival gets celebrated in the rest of the country as well, but in UP it holds a special significance for the people. UP is one of the most populated states in the country and it has people from all the religions in abundance. The Buddhist community is one among them and they are known to celebrate the birth of their lord Gautam Buddha with great enthusiasm. This day is the most auspicious day for them in all year.

Ayudha Pooja- Hinduism followers constitute the biggest part of the population of the state and they are avid followers of Lord Rama. The festival falls in the months of October or November each year. Lord Rama is worshipped on this very auspicious day. It actually is celebrated around the time when the much-hyped festival of Dussehra is celebrated in rest of the country.

Makar Sankranti- Entire country celebrates Makar Sankranti, mostly in the second or third week of January. But the festivals takes an entirely different shape in UP. The festival gets celebrated here in the months of December/January and the people take their ritualistic bath in the holy river, Ganga. There are few other customs and traditions which get followed and that make the Makar Sankranti celebrations different from rest of the country.

Lath Mar Holi Lath Mar Holi is the most colorful and a prestigious festival in Barsana near Mathura not be missed in the state of UP.  The festival takes place just few days before actual Holi. This festival time is a great holiday option for visitors which captures attention from tourists and pilgrims from all over the world. During the Holi celebrations, Ladies are found hitting sticks (laths) at each man as the common custom during this fest.

Janmashtami- Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna celebrates and rejoices the festival of Janmashtami with great enthusiasm. The major festival celebrations take place at Dwarkadhish Temple.

Mathura the birth-place of Lord Krishna, and Vrindavan where he spent his childhood, both the cities celebrate the festival with equal fervor. Around more than four hundred temples are dedicated to Lord Krishna in this sacred city. Among the list of temples, some of the major temples are Banke Bihari, Rangaji, Shri Krishna Balaram Temple and Gopinath temple.

Taj Mahotsav- Experience a cultural bonanza with Taj Mahotsav

Taj Mahotsav 2017 will be held between 18-February to 27-February. The event is held annually in the historic city of Agra and is known to be one of the most spectacular and awaiting events in UP according to the Indian calendar. The event organized by Uttar Pradesh Tourism Dept in Shilpgram complex, 500 metres from Taj Mahal east gate encourages the unparalleled cultural heritage and cultural activities of the state and the country as a whole.

Durgotsav- Also known as Durga Pooja in rest of the country, the festival falls in the months of October/November. However, it can be said that the festival gets celebrated at its very best in West Bengal and other adjoining states but in UP as well, there is much hype about the festival every year.

Other festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Christmas, Eid, and Muharram are also being rejoiced with great enthusiasm among the people here. But the style with which these festivities are cherished and celebrated by the colorful people here brings an additional charm to the overall festivities.

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3 days in Goa is never enough!! Check out this itinerary to make sure you hit all the must-see spots

Goa is one such place where you can be for days as much as you want- a day, 10 days or month.  So if you have three days in hand for a destination like Goa, well plan your itinerary to cover most of it.

Day 1

Goa is well connected to other parts of the country by a network of rail, road, and air. Upon your arrival at Goa airport or railway station, take a taxi or avail other public modes of transportation to reach your hotel. To avoid the later hassle looking for hotels, make the prior reservation. Depending on your stay, north or south Goa, start your trip by exploring the nearby places on the first day. On your arrival, check-in to the hotel and take rest.

The best mode to go around in Goa is by renting a bike or scooter. You can start exploring from the south and eventually head towards north. South Goa is comparatively quieter than North Goa. Some of the popular beaches here are Colva, Agoda, Varca, and Benaulim. These beaches are home to some amazing shacks, discos and resorts, and ideal for honeymoon couples and those who want to spend some alone time away from the crowd. End the day with dinner at Curly’s or Mambos.

Day 2

Dedicate your entire 2nd and 3rd day for North and Old Goa, as it has a lot more to explore. Rent a bike or car to reach old Goa. Take a historical walk at the Latin Portuguese quarters, witness the grandeur of historical monuments and pay a visit to the ancient cathedrals. There are century old cathedrals such as Basilica of Bom Jesus and Chapel of St. Francis Xavier. Apart from the churches, there are some famous forts from the Portuguese era. One of them is Fort Aguada that has been majorly converted into a luxury hotel.
Spend your day exploring the ancient architecture and Portuguese colonies or Fountainhas areas of Goa. Passing through the streets of brightly colored houses, makes you gaze in wonder.  After devouring on sumptuous Goan food from any of the famous restaurant Gene or Ritz, head to Dona Paula to experience the sunset.


Day 3

For all those who want to see the fun side of Goa, head to North Goa. It is lined with beautiful beaches that abound in the number of water activities, pubs, and shacks offering delectable Goan cuisine. The popular beaches here are Anjuna, Baga, and Calangute where you can get indulged in in water sports such as Parasailing, scuba diving, and water skiing. This part of Goa attracts major tourist population all year round. You can even purchase some funky jewelry, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs for your loved ones from the popular Anjuna Flea Market organized every Wednesday evening. Keep the night for the crazy trance parties that take place along the shore or at some popular clubs. Club Cubana at Arpora Hill in North Goa is a must place to be.  Another popular market is the Saturday Night Bazaar.

A 3 days trip to Goa if spent wisely can be a great one for holidaymakers to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. Reach out to us for further bookings at ghoomophirosisters@gmail.com

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Travel Trends wildlife

Top 10 Forests of India

Living a busy life amidst the crowds and noise in the city has a way of detaching you from nature. So take a rejuvenating and enriching trip to the jungles of India. India is known to have a rich flora and fauna in all corners of the country but here ghoomophirosisters have compiled a list of the top forests that you must visit

Gir forest, Gujarat

Gir Forest is known for being a home to Asiatic lions but among these dry deciduous forests lay many other species of leopards and wildcats. A night at the watchtower near Kamleshwar dam is something memorable. You can hear the calls of jackals at night and ever roars of majestic lions.Sunderbans, West Bengal

Sunderbans, West Bengal

Sunderbans is home to a beautiful and majestic species of White tigers that you will not want to take your eyes off of. There are lush green mangrove forests to see along with many other wildlife species.

Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

You can visit these hills all year round and they never stop being beautiful and filling your sights with picturesque views. The Meghalaya sub-tropical forests are a tourist attraction.

Kaziranga, Assam

Kaziranga is a habitat for species of one-horned rhinos and you can find many Cafes and restaurants at the main gate. Get a shot of caffeine and then continue your stroll in the lap of nature. There is also an Elephant Safari that you can take.

Arunachal Forests

These rainforests are worth a visit for their ecological diversity. You can see the tropical forest at the foothills and also see bamboo forests. Walk along the forest trails as there are some pine forests as well as Temperate and Alpine forests.

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu

Nilgiri reserves are a major attraction for nature lovers all over the world and they are home to tribal groups as well as lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri Tahr. It is rich in flora and fauna as well as scenic views.

Vandalur Forest Reserve

Visiting Vandalur Forest Reserve is a great idea for an offbeat holiday. The surroundings offer some relaxing as well as some breathtaking views. You would NOT want to forget your camera. The area includes Madras zoo which is a tourist attraction.

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

You should opt for the Tiger spotting tour at Jim Corbett National Park to enhance your experience. You can also spot various kinds of deer and peacocks here. It is one of the best forests to spend a vacation in. Wildlife lovers would be absolutely delighted at the diversity they get to see. Feel connected with nature at the first National Park of India.

Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur

It is famous for being the only floating national park in the world. It is a home to a species of deer commonly known as Dancing deer. Keibul Lamjao comprises as an important part of the Loktak Lake.

Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

It is famous for its Bird watching tours with many different species of migratory birds. Another popular attraction is the Barasingha deer. There is the bamboo forest that makes spotting leopards, Royal Bengal Tiger, and other wildlife easy.  It is known to be a popular forest as it said to have inspired ‘The Jungle Book’.

Take your family for an unconventional holiday to one of these magnificent and wondrous forests. Open up to nature and wildlife and understand your own country better by exploring all these hidden treasures. All these forests have jeep safaris making them adventurous as well as safe options for exploring. 

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